Mix and match framing system

ABSTRACT

A mix and match framing system comprising a frame adapted to receive artwork, such as a mirror, painting, print or the like therein. The frame includes a ledge or ridge against which the artwork abuts and swivelled closure members at spaced locations on the back of the frame for securing the artwork in place. The system also includes spacing elements that may be used to compensate for differences in thickness of the artwork.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to framing systems; and, more particularly, toframing systems adapted to accommodate differing types of artwork.

2. Related Art

Frames for framing artwork are well known. Generally, if one wanted toframe a particular work of art, one had to select a particular framethat might not be suitable for another type of artwork. There is a needfor a framing system that includes closure members for holding theartwork in position within the frame, spacer means for compensating forthe difference in thicknesses of particular types of artwork and closuremembers fixed to the frame for securing the artwork within the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a mix and match framingsystem for accommodating differing types and thicknesses of artwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear plan view of the framing system of the invention, thespacers being omitted for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a backing in position retainedto the frame by closure members;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the frame of FIG. 1 illustratingone of the retaining clip portion of one of the closure members;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of a corner of the frame of FIG. 1 showing operation ofone of the closure members;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 further illustrating operation of oneof the closure members;

FIG. 8 shows a subsequent position of the closure member of FIGS. 6 and7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the placement of a framed mirror into the frame ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 through 15 are exploded view illustrating various types ofspacers that may be used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a mat and beveled mirror that may bemounted in the frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the mat and mirror of FIG. 16 mounted in theframe of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 18 to 23 are plan views of a portion of the system of FIG. 1illustrating various types of closure members that may be used in thesystem of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a portion of the system of FIGS. 1 and 10illustrating a closure member mounted to one of the spacers of FIGS. 10to 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A mix and match framing system (FIG. 1) is disclosed comprising agenerally rectangular frame 10 having interconnected sides 11 to 14framing a central opening 15 with an inner peripheral ridge or flange 16extending about the periphery of opening 15 of a thickness less than thethickness of sides 11 to 14, as seen in FIG. 2, thus providing a shelfor support for a painting, mirror, artwork, etc. of like configurationto flange 16, as will be discussed.

Frame 10 includes a plurality, such as four, of closure members 17 to20, in the preferred form of generally triangularly shaped swiveledmembers each having one end riveted or otherwise secured to frame 10, asby swivel rivet 21, a clip 22 is associated with each member 17 to 20(see particularly FIGS. 4 and 5) fixed to frame 10 by rivets 23, 24(FIG. 4) through flat portion 25 which includes an integral cylinderedrestraint sleeve 26 split along one side at split 27 (see FIG. 5).

Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, a framed mirror assembly is shown having afiberboard backing 28 mounted in opening 15 in frame 10. Each member 17to 20 in FIG. 3 has been swiveled to a position overlying backing 28 tohold it in position within frame 10. In this position, each member 17 to20 has been snap fit into their respective sleeves 26 through the split27 therein and thus firmly retained in position.

As seen in FIG. 6, the member 17 is pivoted about rivet 21 and removedfrom engagement with clip 22, then moved in the direction of arrow 29(FIG. 7) to the position shown in FIG. 8 wherein edge 30 is flush withthe edge 31 of backing 28. Also as seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 to 8, eachmember 17 to 20 has an inwardly extending concave depression 32 formedtherein which abuts against the backing 28 when in the FIGS. 3, 6 and 7position to bear against backing 28 and hold it firmly in position.

Each member 17 to 20 is thus swiveled out of its respective clip 22 inlike manner allowing removal of backing 28 from the frame 10.

Any artwork or other mounted material, such as the framed mirror 33shown in FIG. 9, can now be removed from frame 10 resulting in the openframework shown in FIG. 1.

The assembly may be reversed starting with the open framework shown inFIG. 1, with members 17 to 20 in the FIG. 8 position, with a painting,mirror, art canvas, etc., placed within opening 15 on ledge 16. Backing28, which is optional, may now be placed over the artwork and eachmember 17 to 20 is swiveled from the position shown in FIG. 8 to thelocking engagement into its respective clip 22 as shown in FIG. 3.

It can be seen that there is disclosed a system for quickly and easilyframing any suitable artwork, such as a mirror, an oil painting, artcanvas, photograph, etc., by choosing a frame, such as frame 10, withmembers 17 to 20 and clips 22 mounted thereon, an optional backing, suchas backing 28, which may come with the frame 10, and spacers tocompensate for the differences in thickness of the various types ofartwork.

For example, a plurality of differing types of spacers that may be usedwith frame 10 (members 17 to 20 and clips 22 omitted for convenience ofillustration) as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15. A frame spacer 34 is shown inFIG. 10 adapted to abut against ledge 16 (FIG. 2). This spacer 34 (FIG.10) has an inner open rectangular framework 35 so that it can frame apainting or the like mounted thereagainst.

A flat panel 36 is shown in FIG. 11 adapted to be mounted against ledge16. A plurality of elongated strips, such as strips 37, 38, are shown inFIG. 12 adapted to be mounted against ledge 16. As seen in FIGS. 13 to15, corner members 39 to 41, of varying configurations, may be mountedin each corner of frame 10.

Although a rectangular framed mirror 33 is shown in FIG. 9, arectangular mirror, plain or beveled at the corners, may be quickly andeasily changed into a uniquely shaped mirror as shown in FIG. 16. Here,frame 10 includes a uniquely configured mat 42 which is placed againstledge 16, then mirror 43 is placed against mat 42 resulting in the finalassembly in FIG. 17.

Mats 42 may vary in configuration thus changing the inner configurationpresented to view. These mats may be of any suitable materials andcolors, such as cardboard, fabric wrapped cardboard, plastic. etc.

It is to be understood that the basic system includes the frame 10, theclosure members, such as members 17 to 20, and spacers, such as spacer34. The system may be shrink-wrapped in a transparent plastic materialso that the frame can be viewed by the purchaser. The buyer can thuspurchase the framing system, then purchase a mirror, a mat, an oilcanvas, etc. The system may include a cardboard backing as backing 28 inFIG. 3.

The distance or width between the back of frame 10 and ledge 16 may beabout ⅝″ to ¾″. Certain artwork, such as mirrors or prints, may be about¼″ thick. The spacers in FIGS. 10 to 15 may thus be about ¼″ to ½″ toaccommodate for the differing thicknesses of the artwork.

Some artwork, such as oil canvases, may be about ¾″ thick so no spacersmay be needed, a backing, such as backing 28, may or may not benecessary.

Also, if desired, a piece of transparent glass or plastic, such asultraviolet glass or glare-free or non-reflecting glass, may be placedagainst ledge 16 particularly if a print or photograph is mounted withinthe frame 10.

Although a particular type of closure member has been disclosed,variations thereof may occur to an artisan. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18, apair of clips 22 may be provided at each corner of frame 10 and atriangularly shaped closure member 100 may lock into clips 22 holding,for example, backing 28 in position. In FIG. 19, wherein like numeralsrefer to like parts of FIG. 18, a bar shaped member 101, swivellyconnected to frame 10 at rivet 102, snap fits into clip 22. In FIG. 20,wherein like numerals refer to like parts of FIG. 18, a triangularlyshaped member 103 is pivotally connected to frame 10 at rivet 104 and isswiveled into locking engagement with clip 22.

In FIG. 21, wherein like numerals refer to like parts of FIG. 18, theclip 105 here may be similar to clip 22, as previously, discussed, butL-shaped as shown with an elongated bar 106 that snap fits therein.

In FIG. 22, wherein like members refer to like parts of FIGS. 18 to 21,bar 106, as in FIG. 21, snap fits into spaced clips 22.

As seen in FIG. 23, wherein like numerals refer to like parts of FIG. 1,a generally oval-shaped closure member 107 is provided rotatablyattached to frame 10 at rivet 108. These members 107 may be provided ateach corner, along a straight scale, etc.

Finally, as seen in FIG. 24, wherein like numerals refer to like partsof FIGS. 1 and 10, a clip 22 is mounted on frame 10 but the closuremember 109, similar to member 107 of FIG. 23, may be pivotally mountedto a spacer frame 34 (FIG. 10) at rivet 110, then swiveled or rotatedinto locking position as shown.

Such an arrangement may be used with any of the spacers in FIGS. 11 to15 and may be located in the corners, along the sides, etc.

Although particular embodiments of the invention are disclosed,variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of theinvention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A framing system comprising: a) a frame having an outer peripheralconfiguration surrounding an open area with an inner ledge extendinginternally of the frame and about the open area of the frame, the frameand the ledge having a front and back, the thickness of the framebetween the front and back thereof being greater than the thickness ofthe ledge between the front and back thereof whereby said ledge providesa support for artwork mounted thereon; b) a plurality of closure membersmounted on said frame at spaced locations about the back of said frameextending about said open area, said closure members being movable froma first position out of said open area to a second position into saidopen area thus being adapted to abut against any artwork mounted on saidledge; and c) spacer means mountable between said ledge and the back ofsaid frame for compensating in differing thicknesses of artwork adaptedto be mounted on said ledge.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each ofsaid closure members includes a triangularly shaped member having anelongated side edge normally aligned with the edge of said frame on theback thereof adjacent said ledge, each of said closure members beingswivelly connected to said frame at one end thereof, and each of saidclosure members being rotatable to a position overlying said open area.3. The system of claim 2 wherein each of said closure members furtherincludes a resilient clip fixed to said frame into which saidtriangularly shaped member is rotatable into fixed engagement therewith.4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of said clips includes a flatportion fixed to said frame and a resilient split sleeve having anelongated slot configured similarly in thickness to the thickness ofsaid triangularly-shaped member whereby said triangularly-shaped membersnap fits into said slot for locking engagement to said clip.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said spacer means includes a frame spacerhaving a peripheral frame encircling an open area adapted to abutagainst said ledge.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said spacer meansincludes a flat panel configured similarly to said ledge to abut thereagainst.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein said ledge has a plurality ofinterconnected sides and said spacer means includes a plurality ofstrips of a length generally related to the length of one or more sidesof said ledge.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said ledge has aplurality of corners and wherein said spacer means includes a pluralityof corner members having a configuration generally related to thecorners of said ledge.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the spacingbetween the front and back of said ledge is about ⅝″ to ¾″ and thethickness of said spacer means is between about ¼″ to ½″.
 10. The systemof claim 1 wherein said closure members comprise a swivel memberswivelly connected to said frame having a length that, when in a firstposition, extends into said open area of said frame, and, in a secondposition, extends out of said open area.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein said frame includes a plurality of resilient clips at spacedlocations on the back of said frame and said closure members includes aremovable element adapted to snap fit into said clips.
 12. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said frame includes a plurality of resilient clips atspaced locations on the back of said frame and said closure membersinclude an element pivotally connected at one end to said frame.
 13. Aframing system comprising: a) a frame having a front and back and aninner ledge surrounding an open area; b) a plurality of spaced generallytriangularly shaped closure members pivotally connected at one end toback of said frame movable from a first position wherein the elongatedsides of said members are aligned with the innermost edge of said ledgeand to a second position extending into said open area, and a pluralityof resilient clips fixed to said frame, each of said clips having a slottherein, wherein said closure means extend into said slots into lockingengagement therewith when in said second position; and c) spacer meansconfigured similarly to at least a portion of said ledge between saidledge and the back of said frame for compensating for the thickness ofartwork mounted against said ledge so that said spacer means are flushwith the back of said frame to be in locking engagement with saidclosure members.